Traveling On A Budget Tips You Need To Know This Summer
by caitlinwild
June 27, 2018
Money is a common excuse to not travel (especially for college students), but I am happy to reveal that traveling doesn’t always have to be expensive! To help you get the most bang for your buck and ensure you don’t spend your life’s saving on a vacation, use these helpful travelling on a budget tips.
Flights
There are a number of tips regarding flights to help keep costs as low as possible. First, book your flight as far in advance as possible. Flights will only get more expensive as you get closer to your departure date,. Also, be sure to compare rates and prices between airlines. Google Flights is a great tool for comparison. Google Flights also has a great feature where it tells you the cheapest days to travel along with the least expensive destinations during the time frame you are available. Also be flexible when it comes to flying. Many times, airlines will offer you discounts to take a later flight or change seats – be open to these possibilities.
Food
It is always surprising how easy it is to spend all of your money on food, especially when traveling. To avoid paying a fortune for a snack at the hotel, bring your own! This is also a great option if you are trying to eat healthier. Once arriving to your destination, travelling on a budget tips will tell you to try grocery shopping as much as possible. If you are staying in a place that has a kitchen available, you can try your best to cook some meals, but even if you don’t have access to a kitchen, you can buy snacks and easy breakfast items. Also, bring a refillable water bottle with you so you can refill it as you go rather than having to continually purchase bottled water.
Sleeping Arrangements
If you are adamant about staying in a hotel during your trip, you should always check travel websites for flight + hotel deals. Additionally, sites such as Groupon offer discounted hotel prices. However, I recommend staying in an Airbnb rather than a hotel. Airbnb’s tend to be much cheaper especially if you are staying with family or a group of friends and can split the cost. Additionally, you are able to rent out entire houses or apartments, giving you much more space so you can live more comfortably while traveling. You can easily book an Airbnb using their website or app. Hostels are also an option if you are traveling on a really strict budget.
Transportation
When exploring, try to walk as much as possible to save money on Ubers and taxis. You get to experience much more of the area when you are on foot compared to looking out of a car window. If the destination is bike friendly, they are another great transportation choice. Also you should try to take advantage of the public transportation, like metros and buses, if they are available. This is one of the most crucial travelling on a budget tips you must use.
Packing
You can save a few hundred dollars by strategically packing. If possible, you should try your very best to pack everything in your carry-on luggage to avoid paying for a checked bag. Another benefit of only bringing a carry-on is eliminating your chance of losing your luggage and having to purchase replacements once you get to your destination.
Plan And Research
This is possibly the most important of the travelling on a budget tips…PLAN, PLAN, PLAN! It is essential that you do your research before traveling because many museums are free on certain days or offer discounts at certain times, so if you plan ahead of time you will be able to save money on many of your activities. Also, check sites such as Groupon before arriving because they tend to offer discounts for certain activities and excursions.
